LONDON — Serena Williams’ doubles marketing campaign at Queen’s Membership might be over after one match.
Victoria Mboko, the American star’s doubles companion, retired from her singles match in opposition to Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday after sustaining a knee damage within the second set.
Williams and Mboko had gained their opening doubles match Tuesday — within the 44-year-old Williams’ return to skilled tennis after practically 4 years away from the game — and are scheduled to play once more Thursday.
The 19-year-old Canadian slipped behind the baseline and instantly grabbed her left knee whereas going through Pliskova. Mboko misplaced the primary set 6-2 and was up 4-3 within the second and attempting to interrupt with Pliskova serving at deuce.
Mboko bought up on her personal however then informed a physiotherapist there was “no stability proper now.”
She walked gingerly to her bench and put a towel to her face as she sat down. Minutes later, she retired from the match.
Williams had beforehand introduced that she may even play doubles on the Berlin Open subsequent week.
On Tuesday, Williams and Mboko beat third-seeded duo Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe 7-6 (2), 6-2 in Williams’ first skilled match because the 2022 U.S. Open. They’re scheduled to face Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund within the quarterfinals.
Mboko is ranked No. 9 in singles.
